ASEAN moves towards stronger development in future

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will stand fast in
the face of difficulties to attain its goal of building an ASEAN
Community by 2015.

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the
Vietnam-Southeast Asia Friendship Association made the remarks during a
ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2 to mark the 46 th
founding anniversary of ASEAN.

The chairwoman underlined the
important role played by the association in maintaining peace, stability
and development in the region, saying that it serves as a force to
further promote dialogue, cooperation and connectivity within the
group’s member countries as well as expand cooperation in East Asia and
the Asia-Pacific.

ASEAN is also seen as a large and potential
market, Xuan said, adding that the bloc will continue to implement its
targets towards a future ASEAN Community.

On behalf of the
representative offices of ASEAN member states in the city, Laos’ Consul
General Southideth Phommalat reviewed the association’s achievements
over the past 46 years.

He said ASEAN’s establishment aimed to
protect peace and foster cooperation in politics, security, economics,
culture and social affairs in the region in line with the principles of
respecting independence, sovereignty, equality and the national
character of member countries.

It remains steadfast in its
principles to solve all issues in a peaceful manner without interfering
in the countries’ internal affairs, the consul general noted.

Southideth Phommalat expressed his hope that ASEAN member countries will
reap greater achievements and stronger development in the future, while
upholding its central role in expanding and deepening relations with
its counterparts and dialogue parties for peace, stability, cooperation
and development in the region and the world.

ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will stand fast in
the face of difficulties to attain its goal of building an ASEAN
Community by 2015.

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the
Vietnam-Southeast Asia Friendship Association made the remarks during a
ceremony held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 2 to mark the 46 th
founding anniversary of ASEAN.

The chairwoman underlined the
important role played by the association in maintaining peace, stability
and development in the region, saying that it serves as a force to
further promote dialogue, cooperation and connectivity within the
group’s member countries as well as expand cooperation in East Asia and
the Asia-Pacific.

ASEAN is also seen as a large and potential
market, Xuan said, adding that the bloc will continue to implement its
targets towards a future ASEAN Community.

On behalf of the
representative offices of ASEAN member states in the city, Laos’ Consul
General Southideth Phommalat reviewed the association’s achievements
over the past 46 years.

He said ASEAN’s establishment aimed to
protect peace and foster cooperation in politics, security, economics,
culture and social affairs in the region in line with the principles of
respecting independence, sovereignty, equality and the national
character of member countries.

It remains steadfast in its
principles to solve all issues in a peaceful manner without interfering
in the countries’ internal affairs, the consul general noted.

Southideth Phommalat expressed his hope that ASEAN member countries will
reap greater achievements and stronger development in the future, while
upholding its central role in expanding and deepening relations with
its counterparts and dialogue parties for peace, stability, cooperation
and development in the region and the world.